Good equipment or just plain treatment?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:47 pm

Folks,

It has been suggested to me on another forum that getting the right equipment is not as important as just getting treated no matter what equipment you get.

In your experience, what has contributed more to your success on 'pap therapy?

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:06 pm

First: A highly qualified, knowledgeable and caring doctor who *specializes* in sleep disorders.

Second: Finding the mask that works for me.

Andy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:07 pm

A good mask! To me that means the most, the machine next, but without a mask I can live with, I don't know what I would do with the machine, paperweight maybe?

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:13 pm

Definitely the mask!

Masked Ranger · Post by **Masked Ranger** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:17 pm

I agree a mask that works is more important than the machine. It's where the rubber meets the road so to speak. Reading this forum I've gleaned a ton of great information. Although it appears most people are only interested in the type of machine and latest features. The newest high end apap or bi-pap with auto adjust technology is basically worthless if the mask on the end of the hose isn't working properly.

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:33 pm

Hi Wader,

You seem to be a little too focused on the "equipment".

More consideration should be given to bed partners! It's true!!! Many, many years ago - and this was before I got married, so please do not repeat it. - a couple of the young ladies I dated indicated I was a great "kisser". This of course did wonders for my ego and of course egged me on to become not only a "great kisser" but the "greatest kisser".

Then I got married and it all fell apart. More to life then just kissing.

When you get older like me, the more to life part just doesn't "stand up" to the test of time. So, back to the winning ways of my youth - nationality based kisses!!!

Now this all comes back to your "equipment".

Currently I have the Activa ( yes masks are most important) but cannot wait to get a nasal mask to allow my lips to do the ???? well whatever, more freedom anyway.

As far as the other piece of equipment you refer to, xPAP, it does need to work in harmony with the mask as well as the patient to comply with breathing needs. Active heavy breathing dictates more pressure while long, slow, almost no breathing indicates a very low but somewhat steady pressure in order to meet the patients immediate needs.

That's why I have an autopap and cannot wait to ditch the Activa for the freedom of a nasal mask!

So Wader, whatta you think? You seem to have tried all kinds of combinations and know what's best!

Bob F

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:59 pm

The mask is the most important. If you do not have a good and proper fitting mask you will not be getting the proper treatment you should be getting. You will be having a leaking mask or nose pillows keeping you up at night.

You can have the best machine money can buy, but without a proper fitting mask or nose pillows, you will not get any where in your treatment.

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:09 pm

I agree...the mask is the most important. You won't be compliant if you can't find a mask that works for you.

Jan in Colo.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:26 pm

without a compatible mask, most people won't continue with their treatment, so it wouldn't matter if they had a great doctor or great machine.

But I must say, my 420E machine is working a lot better than me Remstar auto for ME and has taken my therapy up a notch.

The doc....well I guess he was needed to get a street legal prescription and get the initial sleep study to get in the ballpark on the numbers.

Sleeper · Post by **Sleeper** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:23 pm

I think there might be some of the same "gear factor" with CPAP that you find with, for example, backpacking, fishing, biking, or countless other pastimes that are somehow associated with an evolving market of technological advancements. This sounds like a stretch, but I think there's something to it.

I mean, if Respironics were to come out with REMstar color detachable faceplates that you could buy on CPAP.com...don't tell me you wouldn't be tempted!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:29 pm

In your experience, what has contributed more to your success on 'pap therapy?

Wader,

I think I know what "thread" you're referring to, but to try to answer your question......that's a tough one! I'm hard-pressed to name ONE single thing that's contributing to my "success" on this therapy. On one hand, I had done what I thought was a fair amount of research and studying of the various machines and masks. I had narrowed the choices of machines to the ResMed S7 series or the Respironics Pro models. However, one thing my sleep doc did when he wrote out my prescription was to write the words "CPAP w/CFLEX" on it. Well, that kind of limited the brand to Respironics. I wanted the ability to download my sleep data which narrowed the choice down to the REMstar CPAP PRO 2 model and REMstar Auto w/CFLEX. I opted for the PRO 2 CPAP (and have been very happy with it). I had already decided which mask I wanted and it was the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF. Don't ask me why.....I just liked the looks and features of it, I guess. I haven't been sorry with my choice on that one, either.

BUT......to try to answer the question of "what contributed most?".....I think I would have to say it's been a combination of attitude (that I was going to make this work) AND the equipment I chose. I also believe the confidence in my equipment has definitely helped my attitude.

Oh.....I forgot one other thing......without the software, I wouldn't have a clue how "successful" this therapy is.

Best wishes,

Den

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, mirage, wader, CPAP, Prescription, auto

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:36 am

1) there is a machine that is going to pump air
the early xPAPers tolerated modified vaccume cleaner motors &
later washing machine motors (I plan to publish some photos soon)

2) there is an 'interface' - the mask that delivers the air.

3) there is support -
this can be a good medical person(s) or
a great cpap talk site or
both or
whatever

4) there is one's partner

5) then there is ourselves - our attitude to xPAP (hate it, willing to embrace it, rise to the occasion, get swamped by it, go into denial & struggle on in misery, etc:, etc:)

The above can be in any order.

I vote for mask, attitude & grit as top of the list

Cheers

DSM

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:41 am

Thanks for all the responses.

To clarify my question a little further, I'll ask this:

With successful treatment as the goal, if you had to give up one of the following which would it be?

1) I could give up my Sleep Doc / Respiratory therapist.

2) I could give up the equipment that I have and use whatever I'm given.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:58 am

Wader,

The Q seems a tad too narrow & perhaps not real.

I can't think of an answer that fits my experience
(even though the choice is 1 or 2)

Can you qualify it a bit further the intent is fine

Cheers DSM

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:20 am

dsm,

The reason for my question is that I have been acccused (on another forum) of placing too much importance on getting the right equipment. It was stated that the equipment is really unimportant and that people facing being diagnosed with OSA should expend their efforts getting that diagnosis and finding treatment... leaving the decisions of what equipment will work for them to the Doc/RT/DME.

In my experience, this is completely counter to what have worked for me and what my perception of what has occured for many on this forum. I have read endless stories of people receiving inadequate equipment at the recomendation of their Doc/RT/DME and then struggle to get any kind of quality therapy.

In my case, my sleep lab would not talk to me directly, only through my PCP. The DMEs in my Network would only provide the most basic, low end equipment (for prices triple of the premium equipment purchased online).
My PCP (Doc) new nothing about the equipment except that I should get a heated humidifier (probably went to some seminar). Luckily he trusted me enough to prescribe the equipment that I told him I had decided would work best for me.

Mask

Mask